The unstoppable Italian PRISCILLA, the musical.

Priscilla1You know the story: two drag queens and a transgender woman travel and make trouble in the Australian desert on board of the Priscilla bus.
The  cult movie became a musical performed all over the world.
From London West End to Broadway, the “Priscillamania” invaded Brazil, Stockholm, Greece, The Philippines, and Spain, just to mention few.
I have to say that the most glamorous Priscilla event was the one held in Milan, Italy.
It started in an amazing tent, build for the occasion at Fabbrica del Vapore, pr2 copyprisc cd copy
featuring not only a great stage, but also many vendors selling Priscilla memorabilia,make up, boas, wigs, games and much more, Not to mention the irresistible “stick your head” posters pr 4that transform audience into a funny Priscilla look alike.

Audience used to go before the show to have fun and stay after to get familiar with the cast in their dressing rooms. Priscilla success was unstoppable, after four months of sold out performances, it moved to Teatro Arcimboldi, the younger brother of legendary Teatro alla Scala, then celebrated the EXPO 2015 from June to October at the historical Teatro Manzoni in Milan, Priscilla-dressed up for the occasion, serving a yummy hoers d’oeuvres “happy hour”. Resident Director Matteo Gastaldo and resident music supervisor Fabio Serri conduct a stellar cast, featuring great performers, starting the three “primadonnas“ Cristian Ruiz (in the double role of Tick and Mitzi), who studied at NY Movie Center and Beatrice Bracco school in Rome and worked with acclaimed choreographer such as Debbie Allen and Susan Stroman. Marco D’Alberti (who plays Bernadette), an eclectic performer who’s carrier spans from dancing at the Accademia Nazionale di Danza and Teatro Alla Scala ballet schools, to singing acting and modern dancing. Finally the acrobatic Riccardo Sinisi, he is only 23 years old and already the…“veteran” of the show, since he debuted as Adam (among as the flamboyant, adorable Felicia) in the first Priscilla tour, back in 2013. The show boasts more than 500 costumes originally created by Oscar winners Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner, a new number where the audience is invited to perform on stage , and of course…the Bus Priscilla.
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I told you, this musical would not stop.
More shows are scheduled at Teatro Brancaccio in Rome and Teatro Coccia in Novara.
To know more about the Italian Priscilla tour www.priscillailmusical.it

That's me as a patriotic Priscilla...lol

That’s me as a patriotic Priscilla…lol

Mummenschanz. THE MUSICIANS OF THE SILENCE

Here it comes again. The magic world of Mummenschanz hypnotizes one more time.
The group of four mimes debuted last night at Teatro Carcano in Milan, Italy.
Despite some technical issues, the show captured the audience, as usual.
The performance started with two huge hands Mummthat opened the curtain, flirted with the audience and finally met each other to give the green light to the 80 minutes show, that boasts some Mummenschanz favorite moments and features some new numbers.
In a totally black stage the group of four mimes, bring to life an extraordinary variety of imaginary creatures who fight, love, care, have fun and …reach.mumm 3There is often a destination to land on, a goal to finalize, a mission to persue in the those creatures world. Like the paper toilet couple (she is in pink, he is in blue) mumm2that seams to flirt, or the funny Pac Man lookalike who finally reach the top of a table. mumm 4

Searching, and reaching, a comfort zone, either they are flying or folding their bodies. One of the best moments is the classic encounter between two masked creatures, which keep changing their plastic faces, in a never ending metamorphosis, transforming themselves into animals and humans.

The company will tour around the world. Lots of dates in Italy and Usa,
Check Mummenschanz international tour at http://www.mummenschanz.com/en/
Photos Courtesy of Mummenschanz.com

Amazing Daphne is the new bloodthirsty Sweeney Todd

Two-time Tony nominee Daphne Rubin-Vega will star in the new solo drama Empanada Loca, Inspired by the legend of bloodthirsty Fleet Street barber Sweeney Todd, It is the story of Dolores, a drug dealer, ex-con, and masseuse who lives under Manhattan in an abandoned subway tunnel.
1 Daphe Rubin-Vega jpg copy copySeptember 30-November 8 at the Bank Street Theatre in New York with opening night scheduled for October 21.
info: http://labtheater.org/events/empanada-loca/)

Why Quentin Tarantino, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Christopher Nolan prefer to shoot in 70mm?

Because nothing is comparable to the crisp, bright images and rich sound of 70mm film.  . It traditionally offered richer sound, with more space on the soundtrack as well. It is the ideal film format for ambitious cinematic spectacles. West-Side-Story-Regina-124This summer, Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, will present See It Big! 70mm, every weekend from August 7 through 30, featuring eight 70mm masterpieces
Interstellar (2014) The Master (2012), Lawrence of Arabia (1962), poster1West Side Story (1961),  Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963), 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) Brainstorm (1983), and Tron (1982),maxresdefault

MOMIX: THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION!

      Indulge the genius of Moses, an intense Italian tour and four amazing gifts.
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35 years ago I had the enormous pleasure to discover Moses Pendleton’s MOMIX at its very first appearance in Milan, Italy.

Momix remixIf I remember well, the company counted then only four (maybe six) components including a very young Daniel Ezlarow.
It was one of the best evening I ever spent in a theatre, a breathless performance and a priceless new form of entertaining . I was amazed.
per luiThe morning after, I run to the office of Per Lui, a gorgeously trendy fashion magazine published by Italian Conde’Nast.

I begged, literally, the young editor in Chief (at the time, a young Franca Sozzani, who is today the powerful Editor in Chief of Italian Vogue) “Franca, I saw a new group, we must publish a story, the show is extraordinary…” I was so pushy that I got a photographer and we went to shoot MOMIX for their first ever feature in an Italian magazine. I so wish I still had that issue…

Well, Per Lui closed few years later, but MOMIX didn’t.
Au contraire, they became famous all over the world.
I spend long time in New York and I don’t miss the chance to see them
at the Joyce Theatre in Chelsea.joice
Each time the miracle happens. Illusion, antigravity, magic, love, art, poetry, lights and visuals are melting together in moments that you have lived only on your dreams.

35 years later MOMIX are back at the Teatro Nazionale in Milan with a collage-performance appropriately titled
W MOMIX FOREVER.
I wanted to celebrate the anniversary with something new, said Moses in the press conference, so I created “DADDY LONG LEG”, LIGHT REIGNS”, “AEREA”, “PAPER TRAILS” Moses Pendleton Foto di Max Pucciariellofour new pieces that I mixed with moments from OPUS CATUS, BOTHANICA, reMIX SUN FLOWER MOON, all in one performance to represent novelty and continue the MOMIX vision, celebrating the past and testing the future”
wmomix

          Photo: Max Pucciariello

Here where you can enjoy
W MOMIX FOREVER, an encounter that you DON’T want to miss!
6/25-6/28  Milan, Italy, Barclays Teatro
7/21-7/22 Parma, Italy, Piazza Duomo
7/25 Orbetello, Italy, Terrarossa Golf Resort
7/28-8/12 Verona, Italy, Teatro Romano
8/12-8/13 Pietrasanta, Italy , Teatro La Versiliana
Aqua Flora low

The Italian tour is scheduled to continue after summer in
Torino, Vicenza, Mestre, Bologna, Rome, Genova
For more info check
www.mosespendleton.com

A drink next to Gaga? A sexy snack close to a top model? A hot guy cruising you?

High rollers and celebs make their way to the private tables on the mezzanine level for a late-night meal and bottle service
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One-of-a-kind mix of club luxury and exclusive tongue-in-cheek counterculture craziness.
An intense, anything-goes, high-octane performance featuring everything from acrobats and magicians to erotic go-go dancers and obscene burlesque acts.
the-boxThe Box is a titillating experience that is definitely not for the closed-minded or faint of heart
www.theboxnyc.com

 

CAN’T WAIT TO GET…INTO THE WOODS

POSTER-“Into the Woods” is a modern twist on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales, intertwining the plots of a few choice stories and exploring the consequences of the characters’ wishes and quests. This humorous and heartfelt musical follows the classic tales of Cinderella (Anna Kendrick), Little Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford), the Wolfe ( Johnny Deep)Jack and the Beanstalk (Daniel Huttlestone), and Rapunzel (MacKenzie Mauzy) – all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife (James Corden & Emily Blunt), their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch (Meryl Streep) who has put a curse on them. Rob Marshall, the talented filmmaker behind the Academy Award®-winning musical “Chicago” and Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” helms the film, which is based on the Tony®-winning original musical by James Lapine, who also penned the screenplay, and legendary composer Stephen Sondheim, who provides the music and lyrics. Produced by Marshall, John DeLuca, “Wicked” producer Marc Platt and Callum McDougall, “Into the Woods” hits theaters December 25, 2014.”
CHECK THE TRAILER AND MORE
http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Extensive-New-INTO-THE-WOODS-Opening-Sequence-Clip-Behind-The-Scenes-Featurette-20141203

Love, cuisine and curry? Tonight for the first time

Tonight Milan press preview of a movie just perfect fro those who (like me) love foody-movies. One of my favorite directors, Lasse Hallström (author of Chocolat) directs an ‘impeccable Helen Mirren (acting with a french accent)  in
‘Hundred-Foot Journey’ (translated into Italian with the funny title Love, cuisine and curry) Here’s the trailer (obvuiosly in the original version)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEO1TWeM5JUlocandinapg1amore-cucina-e-curry-trailer-italiano-del-nuovo-film-di-lasse-hallstrom-con-helen-mirren-1

 

CONGRATULATIONS!

RHIÉ fashion-short was the big winner last night at the  Milan Fashion Film Festival!
3 Awards for Best Director, Best Art Direction and BEST FILM
Check this amazing video, starring Sonja Kinski, She couldn’t be as better choice for this thriller-like short.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wqsiPazPoY
Here Rhie’ with 3 Awards designed by Fornasetti ( Photo)
Rhie' with 3  winner of 3 Awards at the Milan Fashion Film FestivalAfter the FFF Award ceremony, I met her at the party. She is so fun !
with rhie'Check RHIE’collection at http://rhiestudio.com/

Venice 14th International Architecture Exhibition

SAM_0350 copySince 1968 Venice Biennale’s International Architecture Exhibition sprawls across the famously watery city for a few months every two years. um_2717Absorbing Modernity: 1914-2014 is the idea of this year’s curator., Rem Koolhaas, and his collaborators At Giardini the exhibit spams from the Russian ironic views to the more pedantic Denmark, to pretty quiet Germany and Switzerland, 5390b132c07a805cea000359_your-virtual-tour-of-the-national-pavilions-at-the-venice-biennale-2014_bahrain__reign_of_-2--530x353while Holland centerpiece  Elements of Architecture, is an engaging look behind the elegant facades of international architecture.  Beyond the main events Arsenale and the Giardini, many other shows spread art qll around the city There is Sguardi Incrociati a Venezia at Espace Louis Vuitton Venezia, a double Venice by
Japanese Manga artist Jiro Taniguchi fb540a49-a203-431a-83a7-b9c971f21ebdand the painter, photographer and set designer Mariano Fortuny, um_2725

AUGUST 15TH , ITALIANS GO CRAZY AND PARTY!

Emperor Augustus started the FERIAE AUGUSTI, a full month of parties and celebrations.Today in Italy is called Emperor Augustus started the FERIAE AUGUSTI, a full month of parties and celebrations.Today in Italy is called FERRAGOSTO
Check my piece in Italian Traveller FERRAGOSTO on BROADWAY
http://www.vanityfair.it/viaggi-traveller/viaggi-mondo/week-end/14/08/11/broadway-spettacoli-ristoranti-cosa-da-fare-metà-prezzo
Lui e lei in vacanza a Broadway Foto©CesareZucca

A GOOD REASON TO BE IN LONDON: KATE IS BACK!

Pick up your date!
August 26, 27, 29, 30  or  September 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 16, 17, 19
Legendary singer Kate Bush is to return to play a series of gigs –
her first since she retired from touring 35 years ago.
She will play a 15-date residency at the Hammersmith Apollo in London.
Tickets for the tour, entitled Before The Dawn, will go on sale on Friday March 28 at 9.30am via Ticketmaster and the usual outlets – with prices ranging from £49 to £135.

katebush 2014

BALLET IN NY : STARRY NIGHT, STARS OF THE FUTURE

The School of American Ballet’s 2014 Winter Ball, in celebration of SAB’s 80th Anniversary, took place at Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater on Monday, March 3, 2014 and raised more than $1.2 million for scholarships and school programs.
A highlight of the evening was a one-time-only performance by the talented students of The School of American Ballet choreographed by Silas Farley, who choose Antonio Vivaldi’s music for a five movimento ballet .
ab 2 low ab low

 

 

ACAPELLA – GREAT VOICES SINGING IN DC.

RESTON, VA – Feb 21, 22, 23, 2014 –A cappella Festival. SingStrong, will feature the best professional a cappella singers from around the world|
-the gospel-pop sounds of  Ten, runners up on this season of NBC’s “The Sing-Off”;
Blake Lewis, runner up on Season 6 of American Idol and chart topping recording artist; The Funx with Nate Tao of last season’s American Idol; Grace McLean, NYC live looper; Kaila Mullady, beatrhymer , Blue Jupiter, the pop and twisted broadway quartet and many more
http://dc.singstrong.org1367235665_orig 1726851622_orig